Memorial Argelestourisme Stephane Ferrer 4780A space dedicated to the memory of the 475,000 Spanish refugees who fled Franco’s regime at the end of January 1939.
The Argelès-sur-Mer memorial is much more than a simple commemorative museum; it is a testimony to the tragic history that marked this region during the Retirada in 1939.
The memorial pays tribute to the thousands of Spanish refugees who found refuge on the beaches of this region after fleeing Franco’s dictatorship at the end of the Spanish Civil War.
Memorial Du Camp Argelestourisme Juliette Laurent 1
Digital territorial reporterIn February 1939, when Franco’s troops took control of Catalonia, hundreds of thousands of Spanish civilians fled their country, fearing repression and persecution. Many sought refuge in France, but faced inhumane conditions in makeshift refugee camps along the border.
The beach at Argelès was hastily designated as a reception area, which in reality became a concentration camp. Over 160,000 people were crammed together in precarious conditions, facing hunger, disease and death.
The Argelès-sur-Mer memorial also offers a message of resilience and hope, symbolizing the strength of those who survived and the need to fight for justice and human dignity.
